home projects – Page 3 – Cooper Realty Associates

3 Options For Your Adding Shade To Your Yard

This week I wrote a couple of posts about how to have a lush lawn. With landscaping on the brain, here are three great options if you’re looking to add a bit of shade to your yard:

1. Plant a tree. Obviously… trees are good for the environment, fantastic for the local ecosystem, and provide shade to boot. But not all trees are created equal. You have a lot of options, everything from evergreens to deciduous trees, from trees that fruit or flower to trees that only leaf. What you plant should depend on your budget, taste, and of course climate. The downside is that trees may take several years to provide the kind of shade you’re looking for, and they require care and clean-up throughout the year.

2. Add a pergola. A pergola can be a great option for adding both shade and style to a lawn. You can build a pergola to any kind of specification that you want top it with beams with an outdoor material woven through. Another option is to top it with lattice and vining plants intertwined with the lattice.

3. Consider a cover. A patio cover, that is. A patio cover can be as simple as a sloped roof that is either attached to your home at one end with beams supporting the other, or with beams supporting all four sides. Depending on your budget you can have a patio cover shingled to match your roof so it looks like a cohesive structure. Patio covers can be expensive to build, but they offer solid shade and year round protection from the elements, which can be a benefit to some people.

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County? Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-856-6434.

Steps To A Healthy Lawn

Yesterday I wrote about how landscaping and a healthy lawn can actually bring up the value of your property. But how do you get that money-making, weed-free lawn? Whether you do it yourself or pay a professional, the best thing to do is start by removing any weeds. If your lawn is primarily covered in weeds, you may want to use an herbicide or other weed-removal product that you can pick up at your local home improvement store. Otherwise, you can remove the weeds yourself manually. Just be sure to remove the weeds by the root; using a handheld weeder or hoe (there are several types of each) is your best bet. After you remove the weeds you should detatch your lawn. Dethatching is loosening the matted debris that settles under the grass, stealing nutrients from the grass. You can detatch your lawn with a thatching rake or power dethatcher. Be aware that after detatching you will wonder if your lawn will ever look good again, but it will heal in a month or so. After dethatching you should check a section of your lawn to check on the roots. You want the roots of your lawn to extend 2 or more inches below the surface. If that’s not the case, you should water your lawn and aerate it a day or two later. Finally, find out what type of grass you have and overseed to cover any any bare spots, but be sure to evenly spread seed over the whole lawn. If you have a cool-season grass you should seed in early spring or early fall. If you have a warm-season grass you should seed in early summer. Whenever you seed, be sure to water immediately to help set the seed. Of course, once you go through all the trouble of establishing a healthy lawn you need to be sure to mow, water, and feed consistently and appropriately.

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County? Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-629-6693.

Three Tips for Window Treatments

If you’re hanging curtains try these three tips:

1. Hang high. Hang your curtain rods at the ceiling and add floor length drapes, even if your windows aren’t floor length. This draws the eye up and gives the impression of enlarging the room.

2. Go full. Using full length window treatments on small windows give the illusion of a larger window.

3. Utilize Architecture. Use curtain rods and other window treatment hardware with some architectural interest to add some drama to the room.

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County? Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-856-6434.

Best Bathroom Upgrades For Your Money

According to several surveys updating a tired bathroom is the single best project to undertake before selling your home. But all updates are not considered equal… some updates have a better return on investment than others. If you can’t afford an entire room make-over you definitely want to replace the sink and faucet. This sets the tone for the rest of the room, and although it can be costly, it also returns the entire investment plus some upon sale. After the sink and faucet, changing out the counters and vanity for something function but stylish and replacing the flooring both offer a good return on investment. If you still have some room in the budget, replacing your current toilet with a water saving model and replacing a worn tub/shower with something is also a good idea, but if you can’t do it all these are the two areas you will want to skip for sure. It is often said that buyers make offers based on the kitchen and bathrooms, so if you have the budget for a project, making your bathroom a buyer’s dream before you sell is well worth it!

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County? Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-629-6693.

Quick Tips For A Cleaner Home

Whether you’re selling your home and trying to keep it as clean as possible, or just desire a cleaner home, here are some chores you can do in 5 minutes or less:

Swiffer/sweep/vacuum the floor in any room
Make the bed
Fold laundry
Clean the toilet bowl & wipe down the bathroom sink
Dust the television and wipe off the screen
Open the refrigerator or freezer and throw away everything that needs to be tossed
Choose a room and dust all surfaces with a once-over
Wipe down kitchen counters
Clean out the kitchen sink
Load or unload the dishwasher
Wipe down door knobs and/or cabinet handles and/or light switches with disinfectant
Open a drawer and clean it out
Clean out the medicine cabinet
Recycle old magazines and newspapers
Wipe down sofa or other upholstery and fluff pillows
Choose a room and clean any spots on the wall with a magic eraser
Sort laundry and start a load

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County? Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-644-2266.

Five Reasons a Fixer Upper May Be For You

Yesterday we talked about reasons you may want to forgo a fixer-upper for a finished home, but fixer uppers can be a great option for many people. Today, here are five options that you may want to consider a fixer-upper for your next home:

1. You are looking for a home in a specific neighborhood. If you’re looking for a home in a very specific area and there just aren’t very many available considering a fixer-upper may help you settle into your ideal location.

2. You live for do-it-yourself projects. Turning a fixer-upper into a dream home requires a lot of time and money. The ideal situation is to do as much work as possible yourself. So if you don’t mind giving up your free time for the foreseeable future to get your hands dirty, or if you even enjoy hands-on work then a fixer-upper may be just what you’re looking for!

3. You have financing in order. If you are prepared for the cost of your fixer-upper to be much more than the cost at settlement and you have financing in order to cover the cost of renovations either through cash-on-hand, a renovation loan, or other lines of credit then you are probably ready to consider a fixer-upper.

4. You have extensive repair knowledge. If you don’t have the extensive knowledge base necessary to successfully bring a fixer-upper into dream-home territory you at least need the willingness to learn and the time and money to “practice” with since there is a large margin for error when you are leaning these things.

5. You can see your dream house potential. If you can walk into a home and envision it just as you’d like, then you probably have the vision to walk through the remodel a step at a time. Just remember that fixer-uppers take time to renovate. If you’re willing to wait months, or even years for your dream home then go ahead and offer on that fixer-upper in the perfect location!

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County? Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-856-6434.

Three Reasons To Skip The Fixer Upper

Buying an fixer upper can be a great way to move into your ideal neighborhood or buy more home than you could otherwise afford, but it’s definitely not for everyone. Here are three reasons you may want to skip the fixer upper and put an offer on something that needs less work:

1. The home needs significant structural improvements. Replacing or repairing major things such as plumbing and electrical systems, foundation upgrades, etc. are expensive, time consuming, and rarely ever offer a return on investment that actually increases the value of the home enough to make it worth it.

2. You shy away from getting your hands dirty. The most cost-effective way to turn a fixer-upper into a dream home is to do as much of the work as you can yourself. You don’t have to do everything yourself, of course, but the more you contract out the more time and money you will spend turning your home around. If you’re not a do-it-yourselfer you may want to skip it.

3. You aren’t prepared to spend money. Sure, the price on a fixer-upper seems like a steal, but once you add in the (often extensive) costs of renovation the total cost of your home goes way up. If you’re not prepared for that bottom line going in, you should probably walk away.

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County? Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-644-2266.

Technology For Your Home

Pretty much everybody has a television, computer, and cell phone in their home, but technology in your home does not have to be limited to only the most popular of devices. Integrating technology into other aspects of your home can make your life easier and your home more valuable. One such project is adding a security system, which adds value and ensures safety. A sound system can be a great way to step-up your entertainment area. Wireless lighting allows you to control appliances and lighting by remote and adds energy efficiency and a sense of security. Another big technological project for your home that adds value with minimal effort is automation. Connecting all of your home technology like lighting, sound, home theater, and more to one main port which can be controlled remotely is adds great advantage in both value and security for your home. These technological improvements vary in price, but each add some return on investment and create a more secure living environment.

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County? Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-856-6434.

Energy Efficient Projects For Your Home

Going green is trendy and good for the environment, but it can also be overwhelming. There are many projects you can do to make your home more environmentally friendly, starting with your insulation. Installing energy-efficient insulation will help maintain a uniform and comfortable temperature in your home, lowering your utility bills. Installing a high-efficiency water means using 10-50% less energy than a standard water heater. If your appliances need replacing, choosing Energy Star rated versions will conserve both water and electricity. Replacing windows and doors with energy efficient versions will prevent air leaks and improve insulation, saving energy and lowering your bills. Adding solar panels to your home is, perhaps, the greenest choice in the long run, but with the most up-front cost. All of these improvements mean more green in your wallet and in the environment.

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County? Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-644-2266.

Three Garage Update Ideas

If you have a garage that is tired and in desperate need of an update. Try one of these ideas:

1. Cover the floor. Paint an epoxy garage floor covering over dirty, old concrete floors.

2. More Storage. Add an overhead storage system to add a lot of usefulness to space that would otherwise remain empty.

3. Keep things handy. Utilize pegboard for covering at least one full wall so that well-loved tools and equipment can be easily reached and well organized.

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County? Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-644-2266.

Five Bathroom Fixes On A Budget

If you’re looking to add value to your bathroom without doing a total remodel, consider some (or all!) of these ideas:

1. A new sink. A new sink is a great way to add both form and function to your bathroom. Sinks can be stylish, whimsical, luxurious, and more. And there are plenty of affordable options. Be sure to pay attention to the faucets and handles too… not only do they update your look, those details add value.

2. Light it up. Updating your lighting can give your room a whole new feel. For the bathroom there are many options including task lighting, recessed lighting, and track lighting. Be sure to consider the function and ambiance that you’re going for.

3. Update the floor. Porcelain, ceramic, and natural stone tiles add both value and design to your bathroom. Using simple designs instead of detailed ones to save even more money.

4. Shower yourself. Installing a luxurious shower head will add instant value to your room. A rain head is a simple update that buyers love.

5. Give your cabinets some love. If it’s not in your budget to replace your cabinets, refacing them by replacing just the doors and drawers can give your room a whole new look and a lot of value. Of course, if that’s not in your budget either, giving your cabinets some TLC in the way of cleaning and a facelift can work wonders too.

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County? Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-856-6434.

Easy Home Improvements

Improving your home is helpful if you’re trying to sell, but it’s also beneficial for you and your family if you intent to stay in your home for the long term. An improved home helps you feel more organized and just all-around better. If you’re looking for relatively easy and inexpensive ways then start by going around your home and fixing everything that’s broken. Repair the broken leg of your coffee table, clean out your showerhead so that you get a complete flow, reseal windows and doors that are drafty, take your broken toaster to the repair shop (or throw it away!), etc. Spend a week taking care of all the little things in your home that need some TLC and throw out what you don’t need anymore. After you’ve done that, take it a little further and purge your home of the items you no longer need, want, or use. By getting rid of all the excess in your home you will remove stress and create space that will improve your quality of life in your home. If you’re not sure where to start, begin by donating clothes that no longer fit or you no longer wear, get rid of books that you’ve already read and movies that you’ve already watched, and move on from there. Finally, as I’ve said a thousand times before, a good paint job really can improve the quality of your home. There are studies that show that certain paint colors in certain rooms actually make people happier. Do a little research and spend some time painting your home. Begin with the two or three rooms you spend the most time in and see what a difference it makes!

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County? Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-629-6693.

Organize Your Junk Drawer

January is not yet over, which means that plenty of people are probably still working on their New Year’s Resolutions to get more organized. I know one project you can tackle today that will make you feel a whole lot better… your junk drawer! Nearly everyone has one, and although we say it’s filled with “junk” it is more likely filled with plenty of things we actually use if we could find it when we needed it! If you want to have that great feeling of productivity then start cleaning out your junk drawer by dumping everything on a table, counter, or floor so you can spread it out and see it. Once you can see it, sort it into piles… one pile for things to be thrown away, another for recycling, and another pile for things you need (or want) to keep. Don’t save everything just because you feel you have to. You don’t really need to keep the business cards of everyone you’ve ever met… chances are the important numbers are in your phone anyway. If something broken has been sitting there for months (or years!) waiting to be fixed, toss it. If you haven’t missed it enough to fix it already chances are you never will. Test all your pens/markers, etc. if they don’t write, toss them. (This is an excellent way to get children involved if they’re bugging you!) After you’ve purged, look at everything in your “keep” pile and decide where it’s permanent home should be. For example, receipts, old bills, appliance manuals, etc. should be filed away. Loose change should be put in your wallet or a piggy bank, paper clips/rubber bands/thumb tacks/etc. should be moved to your office, and so on. Once you’ve decluttered take everything that is left and organize it. Ice cube trays make excellent organizers for small items, and empty margarine tubs or Tupperware containers are great for everything else. Silverware drawer inserts are also a great way to organize without spending too much. Finally, keep it all organized by adding a quick cleaning of the junk drawer to your monthly to-do list.

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County? Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-856-6434.

Fix Air Leaks For A Warmer Winter

If your home is losing heat there could be many reasons: poor insulation, drafty windows, improperly sealed doors, and more. These energy losses can add up to huge energy bills and a cold family! In the meantime, check these offending areas of your home and fix any leaks for greater efficiency and less expensive heating bills.

The biggest areas of heat loss in your home are in the doors and windows. Heat should not be escaping from your doors when they are closed. If you are losing heat from your doors you can easily replace ripped, worn, or otherwise improper seals on your own by purchasing new seals and weather stripping at a home-improvement store. When it comes to windows, heat can escape through both the glass and the trim. Double-paned windows are better at keeping heat in than single-paned windows are. Insulated blinds or curtains can also help slow heat loss. If you do have single-paned windows consider replacing them with storm windows or thermal windows.

In addition to your windows and doors, if you have a fireplace it can be a huge source of heat loss in your home. Be sure to keep your damper closed unless a fire is going. If you leave the damper open when you’re not burning a fire you can increase your heating bill by up to 25%. If it doesn’t close tight, consider having it repaired.

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County? Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-644-2266.

Five Projects To Do This Month

Put these items on your January “to do” list:

1. Put away the holidays. It’s no fun packing up the holiday decorations, but it has to be done, so if you haven’t already gotten to it, it’s about time to do it now!

2. Prepare for snow. Be sure that you have snow shovels, ice scrapers, and salt ready to go. Fire up your snow blower, change the oil, make any necessary repairs and make sure it’s gassed up.

3. Prepare your home for snow. Check the roof for leaks or weak patches, clear gutters if you need to, and purchase a roof rake if necessary.

4. Purchase firewood. If you haven’t already fired up your fireplace, now is the time to purchase properly seasoned wood. Make sure you store it correctly too!

5. Stay warm. Save energy and stay warm by taking a bit of time to seal up any air leaks around your home’s doors and windows.

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County? Give us a call at Cooper Realty and put us to work for you – 302-644-2266.

December 3, 2012

“Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something.” Plato “The rest of us are in the middle, but we probably all talk too much.” (Fred)

Fred’s Pick of the Day is MLS # 600146-$249,900. This ranch home in Laurel, DE very close to Trap Pond State Park has just come on the market and is priced to sell. The home has 3 BR, 2 BA, in 2100 sq. ft. on a little more than an acre. The home boasts a large eat-in kitchen, a large sunroom, and an office, a walk up attic for storage, an irrigated yard with great landscaping and an above ground pool. Call me @ 302 258-6983 to see this gem.

Restoring the Northeast: What Homeowners Need to Know After Sandy

This article is written by Erik Braunitzer, a writer for Douglas Elliman, brokers for NYC, Long Island and Hamptons Real Estate.

New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware continue to experience devastating consequences of Sandy as a new nor’easter closely followed the hurricane. Homeowners have filed millions of claims, and the estimated damage is somewhere in the billions. Despite these two storms, homeowners must rebuild, but many look at their flooded and broken homes as impossible scenes of destruction. Getting started is just half the battle.

This article is written by Erik Braunitzer, a writer for Douglas Elliman, brokers for NYC, Long Island and Hamptons Real Estate.

Where to Begin
Once allowed to return to a dwelling, homeowners need to check that it is safe to inhabit the structure. The damage must be assessed right away. Debris, flood waters and other wreckage may have left your home unstable. With down power lines, fallen trees and uprooted trees, homes can still suffer other forms of destruction weeks later after a storm. Only a home inspection can determine whether or not your home is truly safe to inhabit. In addition, inspectors let you know what kind of damage your home has suffered and what parts of your home need to be immediately restored, which will allow a homeowner to file a substantial claim.

Talking to Insurance Companies
The next step is to file the claim. If you were unable to get a copy of your claim before the storm, you should be able to request a copy over the phone or talk about your coverage options. In addition, take pictures of all damage and debris with detailed notes. These come in handy when insurance companies send out appraisers to estimate the cost of repairs. With pictures and evidence, you can often get a bigger amount from the insurance companies to help repair your home.

Avoid Scavenging Contractors
It’s a sad but true fact that contractors come to life in the aftermath of destructive storms. Many repair companies swoop in offering all kinds of deals and promising much more to homeowners who just need help. If you need substantial work on your home, you still want to check out references and really get to know contractors before signing any contract for work. You also need to obtain formal quotes with written materials and labor costs. Contractors should be licensed, bonded and insured to work on your property.

Getting the Money
After the appraiser estimates the damage, you need to provide proof of physical loss with photo documentation as well. Once you provide all the evidence to the insurance company, you pay a deductible and the insurance provider sends a payment to replace damaged property. This process can take up to 3 weeks or more, depending on whether you accept the initial appraisal, so filing early is recommended. In addition, if the deductible is too high, pay for the repairs on your own instead of going through the insurance company.

Pay Attention to Time
Cleanup is never easy after a storm, but mold and further damage can follow quickly if you don’t take necessary precautions to protect your home. In addition, filing a claim, particularly on flooding, has a time limit, so it’s best to get documentation early and start the process. Some insurance companies do extend time following a destructive event, but you should never wait to take photos and start documenting the damage to your property.

Prepare for the Next Storm
If you don’t already have a plan formulated, you need to write an emergency plan right away and start restocking your supplies to survive subsequent storms. Many families following Sandy were not prepared for the winter storm. Stocking up on water, non-perishable food items, clothes, blankets and batteries can seriously help when another storm arrives. In addition, remember important documents and place these somewhere safe, such as a deposit box.

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County? Give us a call at Cooper Real Estate Associates and put us to work for you — 302-629-6693.

The Importance of Finishes in Your Home

A lot of times when people are remodeling, they look to cut costs wherever they can. However, a penny saved is not always necessarily worth it. Cutting corners on the finishes of your home such as paint, plaster, the floors, the ceiling, the roof, or anything else that you notice on a daily basis can leave you with a sloppy looking house. If you are remodeling, the best option is to put aside a set portion of your budget for the finishes before the project even begins. Otherwise, you may begin running out of money just as the job is wrapping up, which will tempt you to cut corners on all of the visible portion of your job. The better way to cut costs is to look for bargains on items such as lumber, piping, wires, etc. As long as the unseen portions of your job are safe, sufficient, and up to code nobody will notice if you cut corners, but when it comes to flooring, roofing, painting, and so on you should definitely make sure it’s done well, even if it means not getting a bargain, otherwise it won’t matter how much you spent on the remodel because what you look at daily will seem cheap.

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County? Give us a call at Cooper Real Estate Associates and put us to work for you – 302-644-2266.

3 Ways to Clean Up Mold

If you’re got mold issues in your home, consider these tips for cleaning it up.

1. Use soap & water. If mold only occupies a small area of the home you can clean it up with soapy water and a lot of elbow grease. Allow the area to dry completely and repeat if necessary. Once the area is completely dry, repaint the area. This strategy is only recommended for mold that covers an area less than 10 square feet.
2. If you don’t feel that soap is strong enough, try mixing 1 cup of bleach into a 1 gallon of warm water and scrubbing with that. Just know that although bleach kills mold, dead mold spores can still be dangerous. Again, this method is only recommended if the mold covers an area less than 10 square feet.

3. Hire a professional. If mold occupies large areas in your home it is best to have it removed by someone with experience so that it can be truly taken care of so that it doesn’t recur.

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County? Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-644-2266.

5 Steps You Should Take To Winterize Your Home

Fall is upon us and winter is quickly approaching, so if you haven’t taken steps to winterize your home already now would be a great time to do so. Here are five steps every homeowner should take:

1. Change your furnace filters. This maximizes your home’s efficiency in one easy and inexpensive step.

2. Check the roof. Examine your roof for leaks and replace shingles as needed. Heavy snow and ice can cause minor leaks to become major leaks in a hurry which is not only dangerous, but also much more expensive.

3. Check weatherstripping. Check the areas around your doors and windows to be sure that you are keeping your heat in and drafts out. Replacing and adjusting weatherstripping as necessary creates a seal and keeps warm air in and cold air out, which effectively saves you money.

4. Care for your yard. Rake and bag leaves, put away all loose outdoor tools and furniture, and consider fertilizing your lawn with a winter fertilizer. This will keep your yard safe when winter winds blow and set you up for having a gorgeous lawn in the spring.

5. Close foundation vents. Foundation vents should be open during the spring and summer to let moisture escape from your crawl space and closed during the fall and winter to protect against freezing. Now’s the time to close them up!

Looking to buy or sell a home in Sussex County? Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-856-6434.